Lincoln Chafee

Latest Articles

On Valentine's Day, a toast to a man wronged

They raised a toast this Valentine's Day at McBride's Pub in Providence to John Gordon, much-remembered these past 167 years.
Justice Dept.
By BRIAN C. JONES | February 17, 2012

In the Phoenix; and Chafee on Civil Disobedience

I've got a cover story in today's Phoenix about Rhode Island's tricky shift to what I call Medical Marijuana 2.0.After a threatened federal crackdown, Governor...
By David Scharfenberg | January 12, 2012

Chafee's Spin on 2011

Governor Chafee, his approval rating at 27 percent, has taken a beating in the end-of-2011 reviews. You've heard the list: failures on the sales tax...
By David Scharfenberg | January 09, 2012

In 2012, election year intrigue awaits

The new year is, of course, an election year. And while the presidential race will probably be less-than-dramatic in Rhode Island, there will be plenty of other intriguing fare for the political junkie.
Punditry Dept.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | December 30, 2011

WSJ on Chafee

As the year comes to a close, the media is filled with the inevitable retrospectives. And Lincoln Chafee gets the full treatment in the Wall...
By David Scharfenberg | December 23, 2011

Rhode Island goes red

For Rhode Island progressives, the new year arrived with an air of anticipation.
Progressives look back on a string of bitter defeats
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | December 23, 2011

Zainyeh's Charge

Lincoln Chafee's new choice for chief of staff, George Zainyeh, is a well-regarded figure in Rhode Island political circles. And the selection underscores one of...
By David Scharfenberg | December 20, 2011

Chafee Has Company in Gingrich

Linc Chafee, it appears, is not the only(Gin)grinch. From Politico:Republican presidential front-runner Newt Gingrich waged a quiet war on Christmas — or at least the...
By David Scharfenberg | December 07, 2011

On reclassifying marijuana

Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee and Washington Governor Chris Gregoire announced today that they have filed a petition with the Drug Enforcement Agency asking for...
By David Scharfenberg | November 30, 2011

Turkey time

It's time for the Phoenix 's third annual turkeys issue, wherein we call out Rhode Islanders for acts most fowl.
Injustice, deception, and simple boneheadedness: the Phoenix presents its third annual dishonor role
By PROVIDENCE PHOENIX MUSIC STAFF | November 25, 2011

Parsing Winners and Losers in the Pension Battle

We've got a pretty good sense, now, for what the pension bill will look like when it comes up for a vote. And most observers...
By David Scharfenberg | November 10, 2011

Chafee Interview: Part II

Last week, I sat down with Governor Chafee for an interview on several topics. I've written, in this space, about his comments on medical marijuana. But...
By David Scharfenberg | October 03, 2011

Chafee Sent Signals on Medical Marijuana

Lincoln Chafee's announcement yesterday that he would refuse to license three medical marijuana dispensaries hit pot activists hard. But it was not unexpected. Some quick...
By David Scharfenberg | September 30, 2011

On "No Child" Reform

Interesting tableau in Washington, today, with Governor Lincoln Chafee and Education Commissioner Deborah Gist, who have clashed in the past, playing witness - together -...
By David Scharfenberg | September 23, 2011

In the Phoenix: Labor and the ProJo

In this week's Phoenix, I've got a piece suggesting that the looming fight over pension reform will provide a window on one of the most pressing questions...
By David Scharfenberg | September 15, 2011

Licht: Reamortization Still on the Table

The public debate over pension reform has not focused, lately, on reamortization: refinancing the state's pension obligation and pushing some of the pain down the...
By David Scharfenberg | September 14, 2011

A Thoughtful Gag

Bob Walsh, executive director of the National Education Association-Rhode Island, called for a "thoughtful pause" on pension reform in the wake of a judge's decision...
By David Scharfenberg | September 14, 2011

The Charter School Future

The state's Board of Regents shot down a proposed Cranston charter school today, by a 7-1 vote, after a heated debate that pitted Cranston Mayor Allan Fung and...
By David Scharfenberg | September 01, 2011

Connecticut None Too Pleased About Toll Proposal

The Chafee Administration has ticked off some folks in southwestern Rhode Island, especially State Representative Brian Patrick Kennedy, with his push to erect a toll...
By David Scharfenberg | August 29, 2011

Chafee’s number

This week, we continue with a running feature, the Gubernatorial Scorecard. Every so often, we'll rate Lincoln Chafee from 1 to 10 on both the politics and substance of his most recent maneuverings.
Gubernatorial Scorecard
By PROVIDENCE PHOENIX STAFF | July 29, 2011

Christie Moves on Medical Marijuana. Is Chafee Next?

Chris Christie, the Republican governor of New Jersey, was among a handful of governors nationwide who backed off their states' medical marijuana programs for a...
By David Scharfenberg | July 19, 2011

Up in smoke?

Ten months after President Obama took office, his Justice Department issued a remarkable directive.
Obama is threatening a medical marijuana crackdown in Rhode Island and across the country. Should Governor Chafee call his bluff?
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | July 15, 2011

Calling the Bluff?

I'll have a piece in tomorrow's Phoenix about the state of Rhode Island's "compassion center" program. The Obama Administration has warned officials here and across the country...
By David Scharfenberg | July 13, 2011

Voter ID and the Splintered Party

Your trusted blogger is back after a two-week hiatus - thanks to Dan McGowan for filling in while I was away - and while plenty...
By David Scharfenberg | July 07, 2011

General Assembly turns a cold shoulder on the homeless

Rhode Island's itty-bittyness is, of course, a handicap from time to time. But it is also a source of opportunity.
Economics Dept.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | June 24, 2011

The plan to turn Rhode Island red

The Rhode Island Republican Party's reputation for ineptitude is, by any reasonable measure, richly deserved.
GOP strategist Ken McKay is quietly plotting a data-driven explosion of the state’s one-party rule
By DAVID SCHARFFENBERG | June 24, 2011

Talkin' 'bout a revolution

As Vo Dilunduhs with the slightest sense of our state's history know, we have just finished Gaspee Days, a celebration of what was one of the first (and most dramatic) blows for freedom in the years leading up to the Revolution.
Parading in Pawtuxet; a matter of Pride; perlow heats ’em up again
By RUDY CHEEKS | June 17, 2011

Popular